Stalking, rape investigations and Operation Hotspot are on the agenda for the PCC’s next public holding to account meeting with the Chief Constable.

These areas of public concern will be raised by Jonathan Ash-Edwards during his latest webcast meeting which is due to be held on Thursday 17^th October at 10.30am. Attendees can register for the meeting at https://bit.ly/3zIeXSc.

The Commissioner will ask about how the Constabulary are responding to the new policing recommendations around stalking, which include additional training, reforms to Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs) and a joined-up approach to tackling stalking 

In relation to rape investigations and serious sexual assault offences they will discuss how the Operation Soteria model will be used in Hertfordshire to increase the number of cases resulting in a criminal charge.

The latest progress on Operation Hotspot across the county will be examined. Since its launch earlier this year £1m of Home Office funding, secured by the Commissioner’s office, has seen extra patrols and increased visibility in identified areas across all 10 districts in Hertfordshire.

Finally they will discuss activism and impartiality in policing following a recent official inspection into police involvement in politically contested matters and protests.

Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire, said:

“Rape and stalking are horrific crimes that deserve the most effective possible response from policing to protect victims and ensure perpetrators face justice.

“Policing is rolling out a national operating model for rape and serious sexual offences investigations and I will be asking the Chief Constable how that will be used to improve the service to victims in Hertfordshire. I will also be looking at the Constabulary’s response to stalking following the publication of a national report into how policing deals with this pernicious offence.

“I take these matters issues incredibly seriously, being critical to work to tackle violence against women and girls, and I hope the public will find it useful to hear what is being done to address them. The meeting will be broadcast live online with a recording available to watch back shortly after.”

The Accountability and Performance Meetings will take place at Police Headquarters in Welwyn Garden City. A recording will also be available to view on the PCC’s website along with more details and previous recordings at hertscommissioner.org/apm.